Workshop Philosophy in Technology

Workshop Philosophy in Technology

We invite contributions to the workshop on Philosophy in Technology. The key to the workshop  is “in” not “of”.  In the workshop we search for the studies of salient philosophical dimensions, or underpinnings, of technology and demonstrating how philosophical insights may shed new light on what technology does or misses. Some examples of PinT are: the concept of knowledge underpinning knowledge engineering, the nature of free will, personhood, and autonomy probed by the autonomous machines, the essence of ethics as interpreted in AI systems, abduction and induction and knowledge assumptions behind natural resources explorations, the nature of human mind underpinning AGI  studies, the deep (natural) concept of computing underpinning Turing computing paradigm,  philosophy of   methodological aspects of technology- these just being few examples of potential topics to be explored by PinT.

 We claim that the best technology is created when its philosophical foundations are (critically) realized and the best engineers are usually (knowingly or not) philosophers. But of course, the reverse claim may not hold. We also claim that critical discussion on philosophical underpinnings of technology is necessary to rationally guide the development of technology and to realize the limitations, prospects, dangers and benefice of the technology on which we all depend.

We invite the presentations on all topics that are related to these and similar ideas. The presenters that do not agree with PinT ideas are also invited! The proposals for presentations can be sent to [phil.in.tech.2022[at]gmail.com]. The workshop participation is free of charge. The language of the workshop is English.

 What is philosophy in technology and what this workshop is about?  Engineers rarely are academic philosophers, but they all have to use (mostly without any reflection) some philosophical assumptions in their professional activity. This philosophy internal to technology we call Philosophy IN technology (PinT). It is typically beyond the scope of philosophy OF technology (PoT). Philosophy IN technology asks questions about philosophy internal to technology, esp. about deep philosophical underpinnings of technology, about philosophical assumptions, usually implicit, not articulated, hidden from practitioners of technology, yet the assumptions that determine and create the horizon of technological activities. These assumptions often, if not always, determine the direction of the development of technology and by this are responsible, partially or not, by its success or failure. For example, philosophy in technology asks what are assumptions underlying the GOFAI model of AI and how they influenced the development of AI? Philosophy in technology does not ask what is technology qua technology, what is artifact, what is the role of technology in society, what are ethical aspects of technology, and similar questions - the typical problems philosophy OF technology deals with. Philosophy of technology elaborates on technology from the vantage point of epistemology, ontology, methodology,  ethics, and axiology. Philosophy IN technology probes deep, usually not explicated philosophical assumptions underlying technology.

The workshop is planned as a one day  ZOOM e-meeting on  31st May, 2022. There will be the option of publication of the accepted workshop papers. The short abstracts (300 words) or proposals for presentations should be sent by May 10th. The acceptance of proposals and presentations will be announced by May 20th.

Workshop is organized by Warsaw University of Technology and Pontifical University of John Paul II

The website with additional information will be announced later. The website will allow for the on-line discussion of workshop topics.

Contact

Dr. Roman Krzanowski (Pontifical University of John Paul II), Dr. Pawel Stacewicz (Warsaw University of Technology), Prof. Pawel Polak (Pontifical University of John Paul II)

[email protected]